Computer

Networks
Network and Data
- A collection of independent entities that are arranged in such a manner to
Communica
exchange data, information, or resources e.g., Road networks, telephone
networks.
Computer networks
tion
- A collection of computers linked together using transmission media for the
purpose of communication and resource sharing.
Transmission Media
- is a physical and non-physical link between two or more computers and in
which a signal can be made to flow from source to destination.
Resource Sharing
- Is the sharing of the resources that are attached to the network for access by
users e.g., file, printers, data, application programs etc.
Data Communication
- A process of transmitting data signal from one point to another through the
network
Telecommunication
- The communication i.e., transferring of data and information over significant
distances is known as telecommunication.
Advantages of computer network are:
 Data and software of computer can be shared with another computer on
the network.
 Only the authorized user of a network can use the facilities of the
network.
 Computers on the network can communicate with each other.
The disadvantages of computer network are:
 Data and information may be stolen by computer hackers if the security of
network is not reliable.
 If any computer in a network gets affected by computer virus, there is
high chance of spreading computer viruses on the other computer.
 Computers on the network must depend on the server computer for
resources.
 This sharing of information may leak the privacy of other clients.
Explain how computer network reduce expenses in an office.
- Computer Networks can allow businesses to reduce expenses and improve
efficiency by sharing data and common equipment, such as printers, among
many different computers. At the same time, the network may be connected
through cables, telephone lines, infrared beams etc., which is cheaper and
helps to reduce the expenses.

TERMS USED IN DATA COMMUNICATION

Data signal
- Is a voltage signal level in the circuit which represents the flow of data. This
can be either Analog or Digital in nature.
Signal modulation and Demodulation
- Is a process of converting data signal to and from a form that is suitable for
transmission over a transmission medium.
MODEM
- Converts digital signal by superimposing it on an analog carrier signal which
is transmitted over analog telephone line. A process known as Modulation. A
modem at the receiving end converts the analog signal into digital form a
process called Demodulation.
Multiplexing
- Is a process of sending multiple data signals over the same medium e.g., a
wire conductor can carry several data signal either simultaneously or at
different times.
Demultiplexing
- A process of separating the multiplexed signals at the receiving end.

Bandwidth
- Is a maximum amount of data that the transmission medium can carry at any
one time. e.g., a cable having a bandwidth of 100 mbps.
Baseband
- A digital signal that is generated and applied to transmission medium directly
without modulation.
- It utilizes the full capacity of transmission medium hence at any time, only one
signal can be sent unless they are multiplied.
Attenuation/ Signal loss
- Is the decrease in magnitude and energy as a signal progressively move along a
transmission medium. The signal is not boosted, it will totally be lost along the
way and may never reach the destination.
- It corrected by placing a signal amplifier (repeater station) along the medium at
appropriate distances to receive the weak signal, clean it, amplify it then restart
it.
MODES OF DATA COMMUNICATION
There are three modes of data communication.
1. Simplex
2. Half Duplex
3. Full Duplex

Simplex
- Communication in only one direction e.g., radio broadcast. The listener cannot
communicate back through radio receiver.
Half Duplex
- Communication in both direction but one direction at a time e.g sender sends
information then the receiver can reply to e.g., radio call.

Full Duplex
- Communication occurs in both directions simultaneously e.g., a computer
sending and receiving data on a network.

TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS

Types of computer networks are classified according to size.
Personal Area Network (PAN)
- PAN is the most basic type of computer network. This network is restrained to a
single person, that is, communication between the computer devices is centered
only to an individual’s workspace. PAN offers a network range of 10 meters from
a person to the device providing communication.
- Examples of PAN are USB, computer, phone, tablet, printer, PDA, etc.
Local Area Network (LAN)
- LAN is the most frequently used network. A LAN is a computer network that
connects computers together through a common communication path, contained
within a limited area, that is, locally. A LAN encompasses two or more computers
connected over a server. The two important technologies involved in this
network are Ethernet and Wi-fi.
- Examples of LAN are networking in a home, school, library, laboratory, college,
office, etc.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

- WAN is a type of computer network that connects computers over a large
geographical distance through a shared communication path. It is not restrained
to a single location but extends over many locations. WAN can also be defined as
a group of local area networks that communicate with each other.
- The most common example of WAN is the Internet.

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

- WLAN is a type of computer network that acts as a local area network but makes
use of wireless network technology like Wi-Fi. This network doesn’t allow devices
to communicate over physical cables like in LAN but allows devices to
communicate wirelessly.
 - The most common example of WLAN is Wi-Fi.

Campus Area Network (CAN)

- CAN is bigger than a LAN but smaller than a MAN. This is a type of computer
network which is usually used in places like a school or college. This network
covers a limited geographical area that is, it spreads across several buildings
within the campus.
- Examples of CAN are networks that cover schools, colleges, buildings, etc.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

- A MAN is larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN. This is the type of computer
network that connects computers over a geographical distance through a shared
communication path over a city, town, or metropolitan area.
- Examples of MAN are networking in towns, cities, a single large city, large area
within multiple buildings, etc.
Storage Area Network (SAN)
- SAN is a type of computer network that is high speed and connects groups of
storage devices to several servers. This network does not depend on LAN or
WAN. Instead, a SAN moves the storage resources from the network to its own
high-powered network. A SAN provides access to block-level data storage.
- Examples of SAN are a network of disks accessed by a network of servers.

Enterprise Private Network (EPN)

- EPN is a type of computer network mostly used by businesses that want a secure
connection over various locations to share computer resources.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

- A VPN is a type of computer network that extends a private network across the
internet and lets the user send and receive data as if they were connected to a
private network even though they are not. Through a virtual point-to-point
connection users can access a private network remotely. VPN protects you from
malicious sources by operating as a medium that gives you a protected network
connection.
Home Area Network (HAN)
- Many of the houses might have more than a computer. To interconnect those
computers and with other peripheral devices, a network should be established
like the local area network (LAN) within that home. Such a type of network that
allows a user to interconnect multiple computers and other digital devices within
the home is referred to as Home Area Network (HAN). HAN encourages sharing
of resources, files, and programs within the network. It supports both wired and
wireless communication.